Tortoise has announced July and August shows around North America, Europe and Japan. Included in those is yet another NYC visit. Tickets are now on sale for a Tuesday, July 21st show at (Le) Poisson Rouge. Other dates include the previously announced Saturday, May 30th Bell House show with Bird Show, and a headlining spot at the Bang on a Can Marathon on Sunday, May 31st. The Bell House gig is sold out, but the venue writes "limited tickets may be available at the door." The band warms up for those NYC shows with a Friday, May 29th show in Buffalo, NY. All dates below.

Tortoise's new album Beacons of Ancestorship comes out June 23rd on Thrill Jockey Records. "Prepare Your Coffin," from that album, is posted above. A video for the song, plus a 2004 concert and all tour dates, below...

The problem with this Bell House venue is that the sound is usually pretty bad. The sound man there -like in many commercial venues here in NY- loves to amplify the sound pretty loud and to pump up the bass/kick drum, affecting the nuance of the music. It's sometimes a way to keep the young audience from talking too much or attending something else. But the effect is ruining the experience of the music. I wonder if Tortoise will bring their own sound man.

Also the 'fraternity' kind of environment, typical of Bell House, doesn't help the art and the required concentration. Many times live shows -even of excellent bands- can be a totally disappointing experience. Given the sensitivity of Tortoise musicians I hope this will not be the case.

Hey 7:51 Carlos, do you honestly think that frat boys are conspiring to pay $20 a pop to see Tortoise? Are you serious? Don't you think they would impress their dates by taking them to ANYTHING in Manhattan like Air Guitar championships or (insert band from Bushwick here who gets a 8.4 on Pitchfork but that next year no one remembers)?

You're nuts. I've been to Bell House many times and I would call the audience not only polite, but fanatical listeners. Hardly the booze banter over music crowd. Maybe you're right on the mixing too loud thing, but most of the national headliners bring their own sound people. That goes for every venue in NYC. Don't be naive.